WP: Kerry, Edwards and Daschle May Face Vote on Flag

[kskiska]

For some Republicans it is the perfect political storm: a Senate vote on a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag that would put Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry, running mate John Edwards and Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle on the spot just a few weeks before the Nov. 2 elections.

The Senate GOP leadership has not scheduled a vote on the proposed amendment, but Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) noted last week that it is a high priority for veterans groups. Other Republicans say a vote is likely before the Senate's Oct. 8 target date for adjournment.

As senators, Kerry (Mass.), Edwards (N.C.) and Daschle (S.D.) have voted against the amendment and are described by colleagues as still opposed to it. But Kerry and Edwards, who rarely leave the campaign trail for Senate votes, are not expected to show up for the flag debate unless it appears their votes would be decisive.

As it appears now, the vote could be close enough to focus attention on Kerry and Edwards if they do not suspend campaigning to return for the roll call or if they do return and their votes turn out to be critical in defeating the amendment. Similarly, if Daschle turns out to cast the make-or-break vote, Republicans will almost certainly use it against him in his close race for reelection in South Dakota.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16779-2004Sep12.html

[Quetzal]

1. Demagoguing the American Flag

A tool used to express divisiveness.

[Skip Intro]

9. They use Christ as a tool

why not the US flag?

Nothing, nothing is too low for these rw goons.

[DaveSZ]

2. I'm against burning the flag

but part of freedom of speech includes being able to burn that flag.

We're either a free country or we're not.

We either protect all freedom of speech or we don't truly have freedom of speech.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[goodhue]

3. I bet it will pass without recourse to Kerry, Edwards and Daschle votes

And that's okay really as it's not going to get anywhere.

[Guaranteed]

4. If it comes to that, DO THE RIGHT THING.

Protect your integrity.

Kerry, if you learn nothing else from the last three years, learn that.

And then ram it home that a flag-burning amendment is the most UNAMERICAN POSSIBLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT ONE COULD EVER PASS.

[Guaranteed]

7. Hell, Kerry could turn this in his favor.

He could use this chance to make an awesome speech on the Senate floor about how the Bush adminsitration is trying to divide the country and destroy our basic American values.

[necso]

5. Who cares.

It isn't going anywhere anyway.

And once we open the door to Constitutional Amendments, how about one stating that the rights of the Constitution don't apply to businesses. (Or something like that.)

And if you give me a choice between losing the freedom to burn the flag and losing the rest of my freedoms, I will take the former anytime.

But I thought that burning the flag was how one disposed of them.

US Flag Code. TITLE 4 > CHAPTER 1 > Sec. 8(k). It states:

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning"

So what will we do now?

[bluestateguy]

6. I see one of two options

Vote no and deride it as a waste of time for the American people. Of course, Republicans control the calendar and floor schedule of the senate and can easily cajole Kerry and Edwards into leaving the campaign trail for a precious day and then "postpone" the vote after they show up to Washington. And do it again and again throughout the fall.

Or, they can refuse to show up for the vote and deride it as a waste of time for the country and the American people. I like this option the best.

Voting yes earns them nothing and would only bring back the "flip-flop" label. Don't do it. Bush and Cheney have the jingoist vote all locked up.

[Mr_Spock]

8. Hmmmm, Republican Hateriotism at it's finest.

What else is new with the "good for nothing" weasel party?

[BillZBubb]

10. The Democrats MUST filibuster if the Repugs bring this up.

Don't be stupid and fall into the right wing trap. Shut down the Senate. Give long speeches attacking the Repugs for being the divisive twits that they are. Tell them a vote to amend the constitution WILL NOT HAPPEN in the heat of a campaign.

People will respect that.

[Blecht]

11. Fucking fascists

Kerry, Edwards and Daschle need to call a spade a spade -- vote against the stupid amemdment and call the amendment's proponents exactly what they are ... FASCISTS!

We are fighting fascism here. The sooner we get that out in the open, the better.

[Guaranteed]

12. Hell yeah. Use the "f" word.

That's exactly what this is.

[redstateblues]

13. Fascism Is Creeping Across Our Nation

It is undeniable when you look at all the anecdotal evidence as a whole. It's ugly and it's easier to look away but it's very real.

[dave123williams]

14. This should come as a shock to nobody...

Given that these pukes have been wrapping themselves in the Flag, and trying to claim strength on National Security by standing on the graves of 3,000 + people who never should have died were the administration actually doing it's job.

They're demagogues who trade in fear, and try to make their worst fuck-ups taste like sugar. Fuck them. I can't *wait* for Nov. 2.

[kysrsoze]

15. How many times is this B.S. going to come up?

Let it go, pubs.

[w13rd0]

16. Would it be over the top...

...to show up for the vote dressed like Uncle Sam and a Preacher and GI Joe, and proclaim that as long as we're shamelessly capitalizing on "American icons" for political expediency, why not take it all the way...

Or maybe come to the Senate floor swaddled only in a flag as a diaper, and shout out, "Oh for God's sake, go Cheney yourselves you bunch of shameless right-wing thuggy bastards!"

[grasswire]

18. hahaha!

Theater makes news!

Interesting strategy you've got.

[Sparky McGruff]

19. I'm for an ammendment to "protect the flag"

if that includes preventing country singers from wearing flag t-shirts, and Republicans from putting flags on every frickin' thing in sight.